The Facts About Katy ISD's Bonded Debt

According to the District's August 31, 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Katy ISD's outstanding bonded debt is $1.449 billion. While there is no argument that this is a large number, to truly have an understanding of what this means for the District and taxpayers, it is important to put the District's debt situation into perspective.

Katy ISD's debt is a direct result of student enrollment growth.

The District's current debt is related to capital projects dating back to the 1994 bond authorization. Student enrollment grew from approximately 25,500 in 1995-96 to more than 75,850 today, a 197.5 percent increase in students. During this same time period, the District opened 26 elementary schools, ten junior high schools, and four high schools and one alternative high school. Numerous upgrades to District facilities have also been performed over the past 21 years, as well as technology upgrades, the purchase of buses and portable buildings, land acquisition, and other capital project related items.

1995-96

2005-06

2016-17

Growth Percentage

25,500

47,808

75,850

197.5%

Does Katy ISD's debt divert money from "classroom instruction"?

No.Texas public school districts are required by law to keep the "Maintenance & Operation" tax dollars used for instruction and their "Debt Service" tax dollars used for debt repayment in separate funds. They may not be commingled. As such, no funding has been diverted from the classroom to pay for debt.

Are Katy ISD's capital assets (items paid for by selling bonds) worth more than the District's outstanding debt?

Yes.Bonded debt is very similar to a home mortgage. If the value of the item financed (house/school) is greater than the amount of debt outstanding to pay for it, then it is often seen as "good" debt. Conversely, if the value of the item financed is less than the amount of outstanding debt, then it is viewed as being "upside down" and not a good position.

According to the District's latest Comprehensive Annual Financial Report as of August 31, 2016, the value of the District's capital assets was $1.75 billion. This means that the items financed with bonded debt are worth more than what the District owes.

Has Katy ISD's debt-per-student increased?

No.According to the Texas State Comptroller's "Debt-at-a-Glance" website, as of August 2005 the District's debt-per-student was $21,117. Per the District's August 2016 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the District's debt-per-student is $19,699; a 6.7% decrease..

Note: Comptroller's comparison is based on debt stated in 2014 dollars (the latest available data).

Has Katy ISD's Debt Service tax rate increased in recent years?

No.The District's Debt Service tax rate has remained unchanged at $0.40 from 2007-08 through 2014-15. In 2015-16 the District was able to decrease the rate to $0.39 and is maintaining this lower rate for 2016-17. During this same time period, the District authorized and sold $459 million of bonds from the 2010 authorization, and as of August 31, 2016, has sold $455 million of the $748 million authorization approved in November 2014. This ability to maintain and even slightly decrease the tax rate was primarily due to an increase in taxable values through growth and the District's ability to capitalize on low interest rates both in issuing new bonds and by refunding certain outstanding bonds.

How is Katy ISD's debt approved by the community?

One hundred percent of Katy ISD's debt was directly approved by voters pursuant to a bond election proposed by the Board of Trustees, who were also elected by taxpayers. School districts in Texas cannot assume bonded debt without direct approval from local taxpayers. This is in contrast to charter schools and state agencies that are not required to receive voter approval of certain debt obligations.

Is Katy ISD in a good position to sell bonds at a favorable rate?

Yes.It is anticipated that Katy ISD's bonds will receive the highest possible credit rating due primarily to the guarantee by the Texas Permanent School Fund. Because of the high credit rating and the current interest rate environment, the District expects a favorable market for its bonds. Katy ISD's bond ratings put Katy in the top tier of Texas' most creditworthy school districts because of its management of bonded debt. This includes selling bonds when interest rates are favorable, refunding existing bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates, and maintaining a healthy fund balance in the Debt Service Fund.

For each of the 14 years that Texas districts have been rated through the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST), Katy ISD has received a Superior Rating. ​ The District has also received the Texas Comptroller Leadership Circle Award for Financial Transparency for four years, receiving the gold award for three years and the platinum award in 2015, the first year the award became available.

It is the policy of Katy ISD not to discriminate on the basis of sex, disability, race, religion, color, gender, age, or national originin its educational programs and/or activities, including career and technology programs, nor in its employment practicesand to provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

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